Important - You can also watch the video shared above on YouTube for a more visual and practical explanation of these fast Vedic tips.
We live in a time where everything is questioned, and that’s a good thing. But one question that’s always floating around is — are Hindu rituals really useless? Are we just wasting time lighting diyas, chanting mantras, doing pujas, and going to temples? An Ayyappa devotee answers this question not with theory, but with real experience. If you've ever wondered whether these age-old practices have any relevance today, keep reading. This article dives into the essence of rituals, their hidden meaning, and why they still matter in our modern lives.
Not Superstition, But A System
Let’s get one thing straight — rituals are not random. They’re not just about “do this, don’t do that.” Hindu rituals were designed as part of a much bigger spiritual science. Lighting a lamp is not just about tradition — it's about awakening awareness. Chanting mantras is not noise — it’s vibration therapy for the mind and body. Going barefoot to a temple isn’t blind faith — it connects your body to the earth’s magnetic field.
An Ayyappa devotee explains how the 41-day vratham (penance) before visiting Sabarimala is not just about giving up meat, alcohol, or wearing black. It’s a full reset of your body and mind. You become more disciplined, more calm, and more centered.
Energy Is Real, Even If You Don’t See It
Just like WiFi or mobile signals, energy is all around us even if we can’t see it. Hindu rituals were created to align us with that cosmic energy. When you stand with folded hands in a temple, you are actually activating pressure points that calm the nervous system. The sound of bells, the smell of camphor, the touch of holy ash — each element is carefully designed to shift your inner energy.
Rituals help us maintain this energy balance. They act like regular tune-ups for the soul. The Ayyappa devotee shares how observing rituals brought a deep sense of inner clarity and purpose, not because someone told him to do it, but because he felt the transformation within.
Mind Needs Anchoring
Let’s be real — life today is chaotic. Stress, screens, and endless notifications. In the middle of all this, rituals offer something rare — a moment of pause. They anchor the mind. They remind us of something bigger than our daily to-do lists.
Ever noticed how peaceful a morning puja feels, even if it's just five minutes? That’s the point. Rituals give the mind a routine, a rhythm. They help you come back to yourself. An Ayyappa devotee doesn’t follow rituals because he’s forced to — he follows them because they keep him grounded, humble, and in touch with the divine.
It’s About Intention, Not Just Action
The real magic of rituals lies in the intention behind them. A prayer done with love and surrender is far more powerful than a thousand rituals done out of fear or formality. Many people criticize rituals as empty or mechanical, and to be fair, sometimes they are. But that’s not the fault of the ritual. That’s about how we approach it.
The Ayyappa devotee featured in the video talks about how, over time, he stopped focusing on the “rules” and started focusing on the feeling. When that shift happened, the rituals became alive. Each step became meaningful. That’s the secret — rituals become powerful when the heart is involved.
Wisdom Passed Down
Hindu rituals are like ancient downloads of wisdom, passed on through generations. When done with awareness, they shape character, instill discipline, and connect you to your roots. They’re not against science — they are science, just in a different language.
Before discarding rituals, ask: “Do I understand what this ritual means? What is it trying to teach me?” You’ll find most rituals carry profound psychological, physiological, and spiritual benefits. Even modern science is slowly catching up — meditation, fasting, silence, grounding, breathwork — all of these are now being promoted as lifestyle changes. But our ancestors had packed all this into rituals centuries ago.
Keep What Works, Drop What Doesn’t
Let’s not follow rituals blindly. And let’s not reject them blindly either. Keep what brings peace, clarity, and inner growth. Drop what feels meaningless. But before dropping, take the time to understand. Ayyappa devotees don’t follow rituals just because it’s tradition — they follow them because it transforms them. That’s the truth you’ll hear in the video.
So the next time someone says Hindu rituals are useless, ask them — “Have you actually experienced one deeply?”
Bottom line
Rituals are not about religion. They are about realignment. They help us reconnect with ourselves, with nature, and with something beyond the visible. That’s not useless — that’s priceless.